Why people recommend it
The Moral Arc by Michael Shermer is a comprehensive examination of how science, reason, and moral progress have driven human history forward. Joe Rogan strongly recommended the book on The Joe Rogan Experience, holding it up at the end of an episode with Michael Shermer and suggesting listeners take it with them on vacation. Dave Rubin also discussed the book on The Rubin Report during conversations with guests like Nicholas Christakis and Michael Shermer, reflecting on the historical arc of progress and the evolution of a good society. Additionally, Ryan Holiday mentioned on The Daily Stoic how former President Barack Obama referenced the famous sentiment regarding the moral arc of history, a concept deeply intertwined with the themes of societal advancement and truth explored in works of this nature. Throughout these various podcast discussions, hosts and guests used Shermer's insights to anchor broader debates surrounding historical enlightenment, human rights, and the steady accumulation of scientific knowledge over centuries. The book remains a prominent touchstone for intellectuals analyzing whether humanity is genuinely moving toward a more rational and just global civilization.
Who recommended it
- Dave Rubin Discussed
- Ryan Holiday Discussed
- Joe Rogan Recommended
Dave Rubin — 2 mentions
“and schirmer's book I can see yeah these are great okay so uh yeah the moral arc okay great”
“and I'm pretty sure it was the first time I had you on the show and we were talking about the moral arc which is right over there that you were saying that the arc of progress has bent”
Ryan Holiday — 1 mention
“When Obama left office, he supposedly spoke to some of his aides about that famous line, which I believe is in the book, about how the arc of history is long, but it bends toward truth.”
Joe Rogan — 1 mention
“is this your most recent moral art can take that with you on your vacation very very much the moral AR”
Also mentioned in the same episodes
Other mentions (10: passing, ad reads, own books)
“taking my previous book the moral arc or steve baker's books you know talking about the shift in norms”
“You know, at the end of the moral arch I sort of speculate about a future, a world without borders. ... Unfortunately since I wrote that in 2015 we've kind of gone the other direction...”
“michael shermer is author of the moral arc how science and reason lead humanity towards truth justice and freedom”
“we are talking about the science of morality with best-selling author michael shermer lately author of the moral arc”
“neil i think in the last chapter the moral arc i speculated on us becoming a multi-planetary spacefaring civilization”
“look what you got there yeah the moral arc uh heavens on earth”
“particularly when I was writing the moral arc and now I'm getting ready to teach this honors course at Chapman on morality and ethics and evolution”
“in the moral Arc I have a chapter on animal rights in which I show that the numbers are still in single digits”
“so I call that I call it in the moral Arc I call that protop Solutions”
“so I mean the moral Arc that's what that's about tracking”